The Athlete Effect™ with Bonnie Bernstein

Bonnie Bernstein
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Once an athlete, always an athlete. Did you know 94% of female C-suite executives played sports? The Athlete Effect™ explores how sports build leadership, resilience, discipline, and confidence that fuel success long after the final whistle.Hosted by Emmy-winning sports journalist and former Division I gymnast Bonnie Bernstein, the show features athletes-turned-leaders across business, sports, media, medicine, entertainment, and tech.Featured guests include:Cathy Engelbert — WNBA CommissionerDominique Dawes — Olympian, entrepreneur & investorGinger Zee — ABC News Chief MeteorologistJessica Mendoza — ESPN analyst & OlympianKit Hoover — Host, Access HollywoodKristyn Cook — State Farm CMOMolly Battin — The Home Depot CMODr. Theresa Williamson — NeurosurgeonVernice “Fly Girl” Armour — First Black female combat pilot, U.S. militaryThe Athlete Effect™ is the companion podcast to The Champion’s Edge on ABC, where Bonnie Bernstein serves as creator, host, and executive producer.Download and follow for conversations on leadership, mindset, and performance beyond the game—a playbook for athletes, parents, and coaches.

  1. Sep 30

    KC Chiefs CMO Lara Krug: Building a Bigger, Better (Marketing) Kingdom

    Imagine the pressure of bringing a Founding Father's dream to life. You've just stepped into Lara Krug's shoes. In 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs hired Lara as the club's first Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The assignment? Build the Chiefs into a global brand. Not just a national powerhouse. GLOBAL. The mission was hatched by Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, at a time when a sports team's idea of a marketing “win” was simply selling out the stadium. Lara's approach is rooted in a lesson she learned as an athlete: winning often entails thinking outside the box. Trying something new. That philosophy's guided her through senior marketing roles at Anheuser-Busch, L'Oréal, and now one of the NFL's most visible franchises. Lara dives into some of the Chiefs' most creative marketing campaigns, the Taylor Swift Effect, and the origin story behind bringing a Chiefs rom-com to the Hallmark Channel. She also opens up to Bonnie Bernstein about how playing sports in middle and high school helped give her the physical and mental strength to navigate a potentially debilitating health condition... and how personal loss in recent years prompted her to pay closer attention to her mental health. Topics Covered:  Sports Marketing, Sports Business, Branding, NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor Swift, Hallmark, Fan Engagement, Creative Marketing, Leadership, Athlete Mindset, Mental Health, Resilience, Grief/Loss LARA'S SOCIALS:  ► https://www.instagram.com/laraekrug ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/larackrug/ THE ATHLETE EFFECT™: ► Subscribe on YouTube:     / @theathleteeffect  ► Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033etu1...► Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...► Follow on Instagram:   / the_athlete_effect  BONNIE BERNSTEIN:► Follow on Instagram:   / bonniebernstein  ► Follow on LinkedIn:   / bonnie-bernstein

    KC Chiefs CMO Lara Krug: Building a Bigger, Better (Marketing) Kingdom

  2. Sep 22

    Home Depot CMO Molly Battin: Multisport Athlete. Multiple C-Suite Roles

    Who knows more about using tools to achieve your goals than Home Depot's Chief Marketing Officer?  Yeah. That's a pretty short list.  Molly Battin's competitive mindset enabled her to juggle four sports in high school and balance crew with Ivy League academics at Princeton. That same grit shows up every day in a career that's taken her to C-suite roles at Turner, WarnerMedia, Delta Air Lines and now The Home Depot. She's navigated a major media merger and a global pandemic, all while raising three kids.  That signature orange work apron? It's a Superwoman cape in disguise.  Molly opens up about what it's like to manage the pressure of being a senior executive AND a working mom raising athletes, and how she used the communication skills she's honed throughout her career to navigate a difficult coaching situation on her daughter's soccer team.  For women building careers, parents raising athletes, and anyone looking to understand how lessons learned through sports can translate into leadership and success, this episode is for you.  TOPICS COVERED: Athlete Mindset, Competitive Drive, Princeton Crew, C-Suite Leadership, Working Motherhood, Athlete Parenting, Communication, Youth Sports, Coaching Challenges, Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Turner, WarnerMedia MOLLY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-battin-9476019/THE ATHLETE EFFECT™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  BONNIE BERNSTEIN: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Home Depot CMO Molly Battin: Multisport Athlete. Multiple C-Suite Roles

  3. Sep 8

    Kim Ng: MLB's First Female GM Is Building Pro Softball's Future

    Athletes Unlimited Softball Commissioner Kim Ng learned everything she needed to become a trailblazing sports executive in two places: The softball diamond and the tennis court. A 4-year starting infielder for the University of Chicago, Kim graduated with a master's degree in dedication, grit, perseverance and the willingness to fail, DESPITE a fear of failure. (Say that last part out loud, and sit with it for a moment.) Perseverance? Critical, as Kim made history as Major League Baseball's first female general manager. Grit? Essential, when she left her dream job as the Miami Marlins' GM, because the fit was no longer right. In this candid conversation, Kim discusses what it took to stand her ground as often the only woman in the room, how she battled an identity crisis during a critical chapter in her career (and won), and her resilience after a gut-wrenching decision that, ultimately, led her back to her softball roots, where Kim is now paving a powerful future for the AUSL. If anyone's ever made you feel like you don't belong. If you've ever questioned whether your dream is worth the fight. This episode is for you.                      _________________________________________________                          ***FOLLOW @THE_ATHLETE_EFFECT ON INSTAGRAM                             TO ENTER OUR UPCOMING AUSL VIP SWEEPSTAKES                                                            Grand prize:               ► Two (2) tickets to an AUSL 2027 regular season game of your choice                                             ► On-field access for batting practice                               ►AUSL swag bag with autographed Kim Ng softball                     ___________________________________________________ TOPICS COVERED: Kim Ng, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, AUSL, professional softball, growth of softball, women's sports, investment in women's sports, MLB, first female GM, Miami Marlins, Yankees, Dodgers, White Sox, leadership, coachability, resilience, courage, grit, reflection, fear of failure, trusting your voice, breaking barriers, imposter syndrome, Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Title IX, Women's Sports Foundation, University of Chicago. AUSL LEAGUE SITE & HANDLES:  ► AUSL Site: https://theausl.com/ ► Instagram: @theauslofficial ► X (Twitter): @theAUSLofficial  BONNIE BERNSTEIN SOCIALS: ► Instagram: https://instagram.com/BonnieBernstein ► X: https://x.com/BonnieBernstein ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein THE ATHLETE EFFECT™ SOCIALS:  ► Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_athlete_effect ► TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@TheAthleteEffect ► Subscribe on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect/?sub_confirmation=1

    Kim Ng: MLB's First Female GM Is Building Pro Softball's Future

  4. Sep 1

    Kit Hoover: From UNC Track to ESPN & Access Hollywood - Going the Distance

    Kit Hoover doesn’t sugarcoat it: she was in way over her head at ESPN. First time doing live TV. First time reading a teleprompter. All while navigating postpartum depression with two young daughters. The UNC track and cross-country athlete reveals how the sports mindset she mastered on the course helped her find her stride and thrive in broadcasting. In this candid conversation with Bonnie Bernstein, Kit opens up about the “coachability” that has been a throughline in her career, from MTV’s Road Rules and Fox News to ESPN’s Cold Pizza  and 16 years hosting Access Hollywood. She also gets vulnerable about motherhood, career pivots, loss, grief and change—and the male champions who've empowered her along the way. As Kit turns the page on her career and becomes an empty nester, running has taken on a greater purpose. For athletes dreaming of broadcasting, parents stuck on the work-life hamster wheel, or anyone contemplating a pivot, Kit’s story offers hard-earned wisdom on fearlessness and a road map for moving forward when life makes an unexpected turn.  Topics Covered:Access Hollywood, MTV Road Rules, ESPN, reality TV, grief, failure, community, resilience, fearlessness, discipline, pivot, Live Like Braun Foundation, raising good humans, teamwork, and reinvention. Show Notes and Kit Hoover Socials:  https://www.instagram.com/kithoover/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-hoover-0a5a90302/https://www.tiktok.com/@kithooverhttps://x.com/KitHoover?lang=enTo Learn More about the Live Like Braun Foundation:  https://livelikebraunfoundation.org/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernsteinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein

    Kit Hoover: From UNC Track to ESPN & Access Hollywood - Going the Distance

  5. Aug 18

    From Walk-On to Commissioner: Jacqie McWilliams Parker's College Sports Legacy

    She walked onto two teams at Hampton University and nearly got kicked off one of ’em for bad grades. Could anyone have predicted then that Jacqie McWilliams Parker would one day become the first Black woman to lead an NCAA athletic conference, in any division? Probably not. That’s how stories become fairy tales. Since 2012, “The Commish” has led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest conference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this candid conversation, Jacqie shares how the confidence she developed through basketball and volleyball helped her squash the self-doubt that crept in early in her tenure. Jacqie reflects on the instability of growing up as a military kid and the sense of belonging she found on the court when she struggled to feel comfortable off it. She offers candid advice to high school athletes pursuing the next level and opens up about the deeper work of learning to love the person she sees in the mirror. In one of the most emotional moments of the conversation, Jacqie shares her journey to “locking” her hair, the boundary she drew when others challenged that choice, and the strength she found on the other side. This episode may change how you see leadership, confidence, legacy, and what it really means to earn your power. Topics covered: Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA Commissioner, HBCU, D1, D2, D3, leadership, relationships, conflict management, being a good teammate, spirituality, transitions, confidence, letting go, vunerability, compassion, the joy and innocence of sport. Show Notes and Socials:  CIAA:  https://theciaa.com/ Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ciaasports/?hl=en Jacquie McWilliams-Parker: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqie-mcwilliams-parker-7ab5551/ Insta -  https://www.instagram.com/ciaacommish/?hl=en The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    From Walk-On to Commissioner: Jacqie McWilliams Parker's College Sports Legacy

  6. Aug 11

    Kristyn Cook: From Syracuse Basketball to State Farm CMO

    Slumps happen. Keep shooting. A lesson State Farm CMO Kristyn Cook learned from her high school basketball coach and one she’s carried with her from her days as a Syracuse hoops player throughout her 25+ year career in the insurance industry. In this episode, Kristyn joins Bonnie to talk about a pivotal decision she faced when her family moved during her sophomore year of high school and how that moment shaped the way she approaches life, sports and career. A Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year, senior captain and member of Cuse’s 1995-96 Big East Co-Championship team, she also speaks candidly about balancing academics and athletics at a major university and the role her parents played in empowering her and her two sisters to pursue college sports. Kristyn has been a State Farm “lifer,” but her career hasn’t been without its slumps. She shares how her athlete mindset helped her navigate challenges early in her career as an insurance agent, giving her the confidence and moxie to take on new roles and responsibilities along the way. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports parent or young professional, Kristyn’s story is a powerful reminder that the mindset you build through sports can serve you long after the final buzzer. Topics covered: Kristyn Cook CMO State Farm, Syracuse basketball, betting on yourself, women's team sports leadership, NIL, vulnerability in leadership, personal branding, authenticity, perseverance. Show Notes and Socials:  Drive by Daniel K Pink - Leadership Book   https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/Kristyn Cook:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyncookturner/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Kristyn Cook: From Syracuse Basketball to State Farm CMO

  7. Aug 4

    Black Belts & Boardrooms: How Taekwondo Helped Shelby Williams-González Become a Nonprofit CEO

    Inner City Arts CEO Shelby Williams-González believes her leadership philosophy was forged on the taekwondo mat. A first-degree black belt at age 12. A silver medalist at the National Collegiate Taekwondo Championships her freshman year at UC Berkeley. A career that, until college, entailed training and competing primarily against boys and men. Shelby's never been afraid of getting kicked in the face, literally or figuratively. During this week's conversation with Bonnie, Shelby shares how martial arts and professional dance shaped the resilience, discipline, and confidence that now define her leadership as a nonprofit CEO. She reflects on a childhood where sports were a way of life, sparks a lively debate over whether dancers are athletes or artists (or both!), and explains what it feels like to be in the zone as a dancer, known as "catching the ghost." Shelby also reflects on a mental health challenge during the pandemic that crystallized the importance of staying active long after competition ends, and offers thoughtful advice for athletes who are contemplating stepping away from sports. Whether you're an athlete entering your next chapter, a nonprofit leader building resilience, or someone balancing multiple passions, this episode is a reminder that the life skills developed through sports can become the foundation for lifelong leadership. Topics covered: Shelby Williams-González, CEO of Inner City ArtsLeadership lessons from taekwondo and martial artsBecoming a black belt at age 12National Collegiate Taekwondo ChampionshipsAthlete-to-artist career transitionDefining dancers as athletes or artists"Catching the ghost" and being in the zone as a dancerNonprofit leadership and arts educationMental health, resilience, and staying activeShow Notes and Socials: Donate to Inner City Arts: https://inner-cityarts.org/donate/ Inner City Arts:  https://inner-cityarts.org/staff/shelby-williams-gonzalez/info@inner-cityarts.orgShelby Williams-González: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-williams-gonz%C3%A1lez-4490a352/@shelbywillgonzThe Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Black Belts & Boardrooms: How Taekwondo Helped Shelby Williams-González Become a Nonprofit CEO

  8. Jul 28

    From the Backcourt to the Boardroom: How CMO Vanessa Wallace Built Iconic Brands for Michael Jordan, Rihanna and Jay-Z

    Marketing executive Vanessa Wallace has run point for Nike’s Jordan Brand, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, and GLD, which counts Jay-Z as a major investor. How'd she prepare for those high-pressure roles? Playing hoops for the Texas Longhorns. Vanessa dishes on how her four years as a starter on The Forty Acres equipped her with the team-building skills, preparation and discipline necessary to mobilize and lead elite teams in her career and bring out the best in each colleague.  She reflects on the courage it took to leave Nike after nearly two decades, the impact of Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt, and how she learned to balance the toughness of an elite athlete with vulnerability, after losing her father and brother. Whether you work in marketing, aspire to enter the field, are navigating a career transition, or want to apply athlete leadership principles to your professional life, this episode offers powerful lessons on executive leadership, brand building, and personal growth.Topics covered: Vanessa Wallace CMO, Nike marketing career, Savage X Fenty, GLD, life skills from sports, preparation, intention, authenticity in leadership, grief, calculated risk-taking, career reinvention. Show notes and Socials:  GLD: https://www.gld.com/https://www.instagram.com/shopgld/https://www.tiktok.com/@shopgld?lang=enVanessa Wallace: https://www.instagram.com/vdub14/https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-wallace/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    From the Backcourt to the Boardroom: How CMO Vanessa Wallace Built Iconic Brands for Michael Jordan, Rihanna and Jay-Z
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About

Once an athlete, always an athlete. Did you know 94% of female C-suite executives played sports? The Athlete Effect™ explores how sports build leadership, resilience, discipline, and confidence that fuel success long after the final whistle.Hosted by Emmy-winning sports journalist and former Division I gymnast Bonnie Bernstein, the show features athletes-turned-leaders across business, sports, media, medicine, entertainment, and tech.Featured guests include:Cathy Engelbert — WNBA CommissionerDominique Dawes — Olympian, entrepreneur & investorGinger Zee — ABC News Chief MeteorologistJessica Mendoza — ESPN analyst & OlympianKit Hoover — Host, Access HollywoodKristyn Cook — State Farm CMOMolly Battin — The Home Depot CMODr. Theresa Williamson — NeurosurgeonVernice “Fly Girl” Armour — First Black female combat pilot, U.S. militaryThe Athlete Effect™ is the companion podcast to The Champion’s Edge on ABC, where Bonnie Bernstein serves as creator, host, and executive producer.Download and follow for conversations on leadership, mindset, and performance beyond the game—a playbook for athletes, parents, and coaches.

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